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You are here: Home / Travel / Europe / The Netherlands / Day Trips from Amsterdam / One day in Haarlem: A perfect itinerary of things to do in Haarlem

One day in Haarlem: A perfect itinerary of things to do in Haarlem

December 1, 2018 by Karen 5 Comments

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If you’re visiting the Netherlands, you must head from Amsterdam to Haarlem, a typically “Dutch” city.  Haarlem is a very easy day trip from Amsterdam, only fifteen minutes on the train.  This iconic Dutch city with pretty canals, fewer tourists, a laid-back vibe, and gorgeous architecture is a must-see for people who have limited time in the Netherlands.  Keep reading for what to do in Haarlem with a complete one day in Haarlem itinerary (and map).  At the bottom, there’s a more complete list of things to do in Haarlem.

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If you are looking for more in-depth travel advice about Belgium and the Netherlands, I created a guidebook on behalf of Moon Travel about Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges. You can find this book on Amazon!

Most people come to Haarlem only for one day, which is a shame as this is a gorgeous city with more than you realize… and it’s that close to Amsterdam.  If you’re clever like my parents, you’ll find an affordable hostel or hotel in Haarlem for a fraction of the cost of Amsterdam and use Haarlem as your base to explore Amsterdam.

I’m packing in a full day in Haarlem, so if you’re only taking a day trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem, you can really see the best of the city.  It’s also possible to do a half day in Haarlem combined with going to the tulip fields in the Netherlands. I include hotel recommendations for Haarlem at the bottom.

One day in Haarlem

This Haarlem itinerary is entirely on foot, so you can follow it to see most of the main sights in Haarlem.  I’ll leave it up to you if you choose to go inside the attractions. Half the fun of Haarlem is walking around the beautiful sights.  Most of the things to do in Haarlem can be enjoyed from the exterior, so if you’re more interested in walking around, this will help you figure that out. 

I include a self-guided walking tour of Haarlem with a map at the bottom. FYI, the neighborhood in New York City (Harlem) was named for this beautiful city in the Netherlands!

Breakfast near the Station

Westhoff is a cozy coworking space and cafe that serves up a mean latte (that is vegan-friendly).  The atmosphere is quiet yet charming.  I always pick up a fresh pastry and a soy latte when I pass by the station when I arrive in Haarlem.

Molen De Adriaan

Molen De Adriaan, a windmill in Haarlem, the Netherlands. Read tips for the best things to do in Haarlem and get your complete guide to one day in Haarlem, a day trip from Amsterdam! #Netherlands #Dutch #Amsterdam #Haarlem #Holland

From the station, follow the path below to reach the water.  From here, you’ll be able to view Molen De Adriaan, the iconic windmill of Haarlem.   Although it’s not the original one (it burned down), this wooden windmill has stood in the same place since the 1700s.

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Optional: Rent a boat at Club Spaarne

Although most tourists visiting Haarlem for one day take a boat tour of Haarlem, most don’t know that you can rent your own boat for an hour. At Club Spaarne, we paid 25 euros (2018) for a one hour boat ride around Haarlem that we piloted ourselves. 

They provide an easy-to-follow map for the amount of time that goes in a perfect loop.  It’s so relaxing and fun to do this and it’s cheaper than a canal cruise if you’re with a couple people.  You’ll feel like such a pro when you’re boating past the canal boat tours! Bring cash.

Bakenessergracht

From the water, head inwards towards Bakenessergracht.  This area of Haarlem with its narrow canal and cute houses is just one of my favorites to explore.  I love trying to find my way out as I head to center.

Teylers Museum

Old sketch of the Teylers Museum in Haarlem.
Wybrand Hendriks, De Ovale Zaal van Teylers Museum, c. 1800-1820

The Teylers Museum is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands and it is really fascinating for those interested in history.  What I love about the Teylers Museum, besides its wooden interior, is its commentary on how we look at science historically.

The museum maintains the original ordering of the pieces according to what scientists at the time of its founding thought was the same age.  As a result, you have dinosaur bones next to random objects far older/younger than them.

Although a lot of people bring their kids here, I think the Teylers Museum is a great intellectual museum.  The hofje in the middle is charming as well.

Lunch at Hofje Zonder Zorgen

This former hofje serving up reasonable organic food is in a picturesque setting: a historic hofje.  Situated within a 15th century building (Proveniers Hofje), this cafe is a great place to experience one of the many hofjes that dot the Netherlands. 

Hofjes were historic courthouses with almshouses built into them.  Those in need would live within the hofje although there were typically restriction on who could live there.  The hofjes in Haarlem are particularly well known for being well-maintained.

Walk around the center of Haarlem

Visit the cutest Dutch city in Holland, Haarlem. Read tips on the best things to do in Haarlem in this complete city guide to Haarlem.

One of the great joys of visiting Haarlem, which is why it’s so quinessially “Dutch”, is that Haarlem has a compact and beautiful city center with cafes to enjoy.  Unlike Amsterdam where you’ll be overrun by crowds in the center, you can just sit, relax, and enjoy the slower pace of Haarlem.  I think this is why everyone I know loves Haarlem (and many other Dutch cities outside of Amsterdam.)

De Grote of St. Bavokerk te Haarlem

  • Saint Bavokerk in Haarlem, Noord Holland, the Netherlands. You need to visit this city in Holland on a day trip from Amsterdam. Click for a complete city guide for Haarlem with tips for the best things to do in Haarlem! #travel #Dutch #Holland #Netherlands #Haarlem
  • Historical organ of St. Bavokerk in Haarlem. This gorgeous building in Holland dates back to medieval times. Read why you need to take a day trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem! #Haarlem #travel #holland #Netherlands #Dutch

It’s impossible to miss Haarlem’s main cathedral.  It’s 2.50 to get into the cathedral, which is impressive inside.  This church dates back to medieval times (1300s) and its particularly impressive to catch organ performances on its eye-catching organ taking back to the 1600s.  During the summer, there are free organ performances, so check the website for more information.

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Grote Markt

Grote Markt in Haarlem. Read why you must visit this gorgeous square only thirty minutes from Amsterdam in Holland! #travel #Holland #Haarlem #Dutch

There’s nothing like heading to Grote Markt to admire Haarlem’s center.  This town hall used to be used for the counts of Haarlem’s palaces in the 12th century, but only a few things remain.   Much of the town square has been the same for many centuries, so you can easily imagine yourself doing the same thing centuries ago: strolling through the market.

On a nice day, be sure to find a chair at many of the nearby cafes to order a fresh mint tea (verse muntthee) or a beer.   If you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of the weekend markets.  There’s often an open market in the middle of the Grote Markt square.  Depending on the day, you can find organic produce, secondhand goods, or fabric.  Check the schedule here.

Bookstore H. de Vries Books

De Vries Bookstore in Haarlem, the Netherlands. This gorgeous bookstore is one of the best things to do in Haarlem and to see during one day in Haarlem!

This charming bookstore, known as one of the prettiest ones in Haarlem has a lovely wood interior and a nice book selection in English.  It’s a great place to sit for a while and you might be surprised what you find.   If you’re a bookstore lover, I also recommend visiting Boekhandel Dominicanen in Maastricht and Waanders in de Broeren in Zwolle.

Museum Corrie Ten Boomhuis

Although most people outside of the Netherlands know the story of Anne Frank, the story of Corrie Ten Boom is one of the most famous in the Netherlands.

The story of the Ten Boom family is that they were jewelers who ran a small shop in the center of Haarlem.  During the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands, they helped hide Jews as well as smuggle Jews out of the country.

Most of the family passed away after being betrayed, however one of them survived to tell the incredible story of their non-violent resistance against the Nazis.  You can see the house as well as where they hid people on an organized tour, but check the hours carefully. At minimum, pass the exterior.

Dinner

You have countless decent food options in Haarlem.  For a cheaper meal, I recommend heading to SLA for vegan-friendly salads on a budget.  For something a bit classier, head to Specktakel Wereldse Keuken for an inspired meal with diverse food from all over the world (make a reservation ahead).  Alternatively, Jetties is a modern informal organic kitchen with decent burgers and sandwiches that are well-priced.

End the evening at the Jopenkerk or Uiltje

Jopenkerk in Haarlem, the Netherlands. This Dutch church turned brewery is a must-see if you take a day trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem, a cute city in Holland! #travel #holland #Beer #netherlands #Haarlem

The Jopenkerk is a former church turned brewery.  This local brewery marks the resurrection of the proud Haarlem beer making tradition that goes back to medieval times.  The beer at the Jopenkerk is local although they import beer from all over the Netherlands, so you’ll struggle to decide.  Be warned that it can be quite busy on the weekends, so you’ll need to stake out a seat carefully.

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For a quieter experience, head to Uiltje Bar, a local Haarlem craft brewery, with fantastic beer. If you’re looking for a quieter tasting experience, you can visit their taproom to sample some of their beers.

Where to stay in Haarlem

Haarlem has a lot of affordable hotel and hostels, so if you’re looking to save money while visiting Amsterdam, Haarlem is a great option. For those on a budget, I’ve heard great things about the Stayokay hostel in Haarlem. For something mid-range, consider booking Joops in the heart of the city center.  My parents stayed at the 4* Hotel Lion d’Or Haarlem.  My dad wanted to originally stay in Amsterdam, but he ended up falling in love with Haarlem and actually preferred it to Amsterdam.

Other things to do in Haarlem

Frans Hals Museum

One of the most popular things to do in Haarlem is to visit the Frans Hal Museum.  If you’re into the Dutch Golden Age, you’ll want to visit this museum with some of his religious works.  You can see some of his paintings in the Teyler Museum actually.

Visit the nearby dunes or beach

Beach in Zandvoort, Holland. This beach is only thirty minutes from Amsterdam, the perfect day trip in summer! #travel #beach #netherlands #dutch

Take the bus/train or rent a bike to visit the dunes in Zandvoort  On a nice day in summer, everyone is running towards the beach to soak up the sun and walk along the boardwalk.

Be sure to have some fresh haring and maybe take a walk in the Nationaal Park Zuid-Kennemerland.

Compared to many places, the Netherlands is very flat, so the dunes are something that a lot of people love to see in Haarlem.  For visitors from more hilly places, maybe skip the dunes. 😉

Take the bus to Lisse to see the tulip fields or Keukenhof

Tulip fields outside of Haarlem, the Netherlands. Read why you need to take a day trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem! #Holland #travel

You don’t need to go to Keukenhof to see the tulips in the Netherlands.  From Haarlem, you can do a half day in the city and a half city exploring the tulip fields.  You can follow my instructions on how to see the tulip fields in the Netherlands for free.

Bonus: Board Games!

I brought my parents to this cozy board game in Haarlem while visiting.  For only five euros per person, you can play unlimited games, so arrive early to take advantage of it!  They also offer nice tea, beer, as well as snacks.

If you’re not into going out on a weekend, I definitely recommend checking out the Boardroom for some fun.  (They’re open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.)

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Even if you’re not a board game person, they have games suitable for every taste and the staff is happy to explain the games to you if needed.  It’s the first dedicated board game cafe in the Netherlands!

Your map of what to do in Haarlem

Have you been to Haarlem? Any other things to do in Haarlem that you’d recommend to a visitor?

Share this post!

Planning a day trip from Amsterdam to Haarlem? Visit this gorgeous Dutch city only 15 minutes from Amsterdam. Read a complete guide to Haarlem with tips on things to do in Haarlem and where to eat in Haarlem with a self-guided walking tour! #Haarlem #travel #Netherlands #Dutch #Amsterdam #Holland

Filed Under: Budget Travel, Couples Travel, Day Trips from Amsterdam, Europe, Holland, Local Guides, Sustainable Tourism, The Netherlands, Uncategorized, Weekend Trips from Amsterdam Tagged With: City Guide, day trip from amsterdam, day trips from amsterdam, Netherlands

About Karen

New Yorker–born and raised. Currently living in the Hague, the Netherlands after stints in Paris and Amsterdam. Lover of travel, adventure, nature, city, dresses, and cats.

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Comments

  1. Esther

    March 13, 2018 at 3:19 pm

    Excellent guide (once again). I always say that Haarlem is probably the ‘Dutchest’ city we have in The Netherlands. Oh, and how did you like the Art Nouveau details the station. Pretty huh!

    Reply
    • Karen

      March 13, 2018 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks Esther. I think Zwolle seems more Dutch, but I really love Haarlem as it’s so accessible yet cute. It’s always a delight to visit no matter how long it’s been since my last visit. The station is a beauty although the third-class passenger sign always makes me wonder what the Dutch trains used to be like back then. 😉

      Reply
      • Annemiek Jansen

        November 11, 2022 at 10:49 am

        If you want to see the old trains, you need to visit the railway museum (spoorweg museum) in Utrecht.
        Utrecht also has another very nice museum: van Speelklok to Pierement. Pierement is an old Dutch word voorthe newer word Draaiorgel, look it up in Google, there are a fer of these “organs” left but no more worked by hand. In the 50s and 60s the used to go trough the streets of Amsterdam and I gues also Haarlem making nice cheerfull music. It was worked by 2 men, one turning the wheel and the other shaking a copper thing to ask people to donate a few coins. Beautifull instruments!

        Reply
        • k.

          December 1, 2022 at 8:34 pm

          Thank you for the recommendation! It has been on my list for a while. I have been to van Speelklok and it was fantastic!

          Reply
  2. Maria

    March 21, 2023 at 8:34 pm

    As an expat living in Amsterdam, I find your guides extremely useful! Taking a day trip to Haarlem tomorrow and will follow your suggestions.
    Dank je wel!

    Reply

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Authors of Wanderlustingk

Karen. American expat and cat lover from New York City who lived in Amsterdam…. Then, Paris. Now, living in The Hague, the Netherlands. Happily married to Jacob.

Guidebook Author to Moon Amsterdam, Brussels, and Bruges, published March 2022.

 

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